Sports
Hockey

Former Capital in elite company

Dennis Maruk might have had the quietest 60-goal season in National Hockey League history.

The then-Washington Capitals forward just happened to do it when some guy wearing No. 99 was on his way to a record 92 in 1981-82.

One of only 19 players to score 60 goals in a season in the NHL, Maruk was just one of the guys Saturday at the Limestone Classic at Springer Market Square, stopping to sign some autographs and mingling with the fans like many of the other ex-pros with far fewer goals to their names. (The biggest star probably was a local lad named Doug Gilmour, who decided to be a goalie for a day).

It's safe to say other members of the 60-goal club would receive rock star treatment at such an event - guys like Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Mario Lemieux or Phil Esposito.

But the diminutive Maruk always has sort of flown under the radar, partially because he played for non-powers like the California Golden Seals, the Cleveland Barons, the Minnesota North Stars and the Capitals, away from hockey's biggest stages. He made only four playoff appearances in his 14-year career.

"A lot of people I've talked to have said it's too bad you played on those teams," said the Torontonian, 53.

"But to be there and get there was what was most important. It really wasn't a concern who I played for. I made it to the National Hockey League and was able to play against some great players. I played against Bobby Orr, Marcel Dionne and Phil Esposito at the end of their careers. And, of course, the great Flyers, Islanders and Gretzky.

"It has been a great, great ride for me. Yeah, I would have loved to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, I always wanted to. Or, the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Original Six teams."

"But they can only have 20 guys on a team, so I was satisfied where I was," Maruk said.

Now coaching a minor midget team in Toronto and working for an advertising/ marketing company, the father of three grown children had back-to-back 50-goal seasons with the Caps, potting 50 in 1980-81 before netting 60 the following year -seasons which both ended with the Washington missing the playoffs.

As for Gretzky in 1981-82, he "was in a league of his own," Maruk says. In fact, the five-foot-eight Maruk finished third in the NHL goal-scoring derby that season as Mike Bossy had 64 with the New York Islanders.

The next season, Maruk helped the Capitals qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but he was dealt to Minnesota the following year.

Maruk still holds the record for most points by a Cap in a season -136 in that 1981-82 season. He hopes that might be a factor when the Capitals consider players to honour each season.

"I hope someday," Maruk said when asked if he thought it was possible the Capitals would retire his number.

"My dad asked me about it the other day, he's 84. I said 'Dad, if it happens, great. If not, I'm not going to lose any sleep.' "

Last season, Alexander Ovechkin broke Maruk's Caps record for goals in a season when he scored 65. The pair talked several times during Ovechkin's big season.

"He called and said, 'I'm sorry I broke your record,'" Maruk said. "I said, 'Don't be sorry, I was cheering you on.' "

While he never will be as famous as Ovechkin, Maruk cherishes his pro days.

After all, he notched 878 points in 888 games. Not bad for a guy who almost quit the sport at the age of 16 when he was traded to the London Knights from his hometown Toronto Marlboros.